Everybody knows that Robert De Niro is a great Oscar-winning actor and he doesn’t like DT, BUT did you know that his great-grandparents emigrated to the United States from the town of Ferrazzano in the region of Molise? Yes, Molise, same region that my grandfather was from, and where I visited twice this past May.
As you approach Mirrabello in Molise, you can’t help but notice an imposing village in the distance high up on a mountain. That would be Ferrazzano.
So when Joel and I went to Molise, we also went to see this pretty town. We didn’t realize it would be so windy up there, boy did it howl! Tina Di Giglio, a friend we made in Molise last year, led us up there. We were to follow her, lol, who knew it was going to be a motocross race! Tina, like every other Italian driver races to wherever they are going at breakneck speed. We stopped in some parking area with a great view, but not before she led us through a street (I use that term loosely because it was an alley), so narrow,I pulled the side mirror in!
The almost 360 degree panorama was breathtaking. My photos don’t do justice. Joel walked down to another level, but the cobble stones and the stairs were too much for me and my boot.
From our perch, we could look out and see Campobasso which I believe is like the county seat of that province of Molise.
i saw this gate and doorway, thought it was interesting, so…
If you ever thought recycling in the United States was a pain, you just haven’t experienced Guardia Sanframondi’s system. It is so complex and confusing that every month you can pick up a calendar at the Municipal and every night you take the garbage out and hang it on a hook that is attached somewhere on your building or a wall in your driveway. 
And the garbage bags have faces 🤓😳🤢!!
Jumping back to Florence for a moment, while on the hunt for the perfect birthday gift for myself on the Ponte Vecchio (naturally), we came across a very Italian street entertainment; A Punch and Judy puppet show!
It was such a treat to see the little kids sitting down and watching in awe as the hustle and bustle of the Ponte Vecchio area surrounded them.
As much as I loved being in Guardia and Italy in general, there were two disturbing national and cultural issues; Way too many people in Italy smoke! Really, I was shocked by the prevalence of smokers everywhere.
AND the diesel automobiles 🚗 🚙 hold your nose! Sometimes in traffic we would be caught in the midst of a bunch of diesel powered vehicles.
,VINO and OIL, well that’s what the sign said… I’ve already told you about this place The Forresta Cooperative where both the olive oil and the wine are local and in great supply! Remember I said the wine was in huge silver tanks, there for your own pumping so to speak. Seeing is believing…
And the olive oils
😋
Ciao for now!
To be continued…
.
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
Pbenjay's Blog 
FAVOLOSO!